The two ministers, Chander Prakash Ganga and Choudhary Lal Singh, sparked off controversy after participating in the Hindu Ekta Munch rally in Hiranagar that sought to protect the accused in Kathua rape and murder case.

After public outcry, the two had submitted their resignations to state unit chief Sat Sharma and in Friday's meeting of BJP legislature party, chaired by national General Secretary Ram Madhav, it was decided to forward these to the Chief Minister.

A crisis had overtaken the Peoples Democratic Party-Bharatiya Janata Party coalition in the state over the role of these two ministers.

PDP sources said Mehbooba Mufti had made it clear to the BJP high command that unless these two ministers stepped down, she could not continue to head the coalition in the state.